FIFA World Cup 1938

The 1938 World Cup, held in France from 4–19 June, featured 15 teams and was played entirely as a straight knockout tournament, with defending champions Italy aiming to retain their title. The first round produced several memorable matches: Brazil edged Poland 6–5 after extra time in a remarkable eleven-goal thriller, while Cuba caused an upset by eliminating Romania after a replay and Switzerland knocked out Germany 4–2 in their replay. Hungary made a strong start by beating the Dutch East Indies 6–0, while hosts France defeated Belgium 3–1 and Czechoslovakia overcame the Netherlands 3–0; Austria had originally qualified but withdrew following the Anschluss and their place was left vacant. In the quarter-finals, Sweden thrashed Cuba 8–0, Hungary beat Switzerland 2–0, Italy defeated France 3–1 and Brazil eventually overcame Czechoslovakia 2–1 after their first match had ended 1–1. Hungary then reached the final by crushing Sweden 5–1, while Italy edged Brazil 2–1 in the other semi-final, despite Brazil's star forward Leônidas being rested for the match. Brazil went on to beat Sweden 4–2 for third place, with Leônidas scoring twice to finish as the tournament's leading scorer with seven goals. In the final in Paris, Italy beat Hungary 4–2, with Gino Colaussi and Silvio Piola each scoring twice, becoming the first nation to successfully defend the World Cup; the tournament was then followed by a 12-year interruption caused by the Second World War.